Thayer's Gulls in Hardin, Co. TN

These photos were taken during Jan./Feb. 2004 in Hardin, Co. TN. One bird is slightly darker with a slightly courser pattern and was seen most often in a flooded field off Highway 64 west of Savannah, TN. It was also seen occasionally at Pickwick Dam. The lighter bird was only seen at the dam during this time. Again there is just no way to get close to these birds at these locations but I think the photos show the neccessary field marks. I've had Thayer's here fairly regularly since 1996.

The 2-14 bird is interesting. May be a artifact of the camera settings but is quite cold looking. It also has a rangy appearance that is atypical of Thayer's and P10 is very sharply pointed while Thayer's have a more rounded P10 even in the first cycle. From these photos I would wonder about Vega Gull. I cannot see anything that eliminates that species. With at least two solid Vega Gull records for the Atlantic coast it is a possibility.

marvin davis

27-Feb-2004 18:18

Jeff: Good pictures that clearly speake to their being Thayer's Gulls. Thanks for sharing.
marvin